Essay on Friendship: (Laelius de Amicitia)

Essay on Friendship: (Laelius de Amicitia)

Excerpt

Of all the numerous essays written upon subject of Friendship, the Lælius of Cicero holds the foremost rank, not only because of the nobility of the theme itself, but also because of the author's sincerity of purpose and the fineness of the sentiment from which the essay is developed. Before Cicero's time, several Greek writers had treated the same theme, but for the most part coldly, analytically, and from the standpoint of the philosopher only. The Lælius, however, was written not by Cicero the philosopher, but by Cicero the man, the Roman, the friend, "as one good friend addressing another." It was dedicated to Titus Pomponius Atticus, Cicero's constant friend and adviser in prosperity and adversity, and many of the sentiments expressed are to be looked upon not as purely logical statements of theory, but as the personal feelings of Cicero, the warmest of friends; not as the unattainable ideals of the philosopher, but as principles of universal application in the practical, everyday life of man.

It is this universality of application and of appeal which has made Cicero's essay . . .

Book details

PSPRIMARY SOURCE

A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides first-hand or direct evidence on a topic. Common types of primary sources include works of literature, historical documents, original philosophical writings, and religious texts.

Book details

PSPRIMARY SOURCE

A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides first-hand or direct evidence on a topic. Common types of primary sources include works of literature, historical documents, original philosophical writings, and religious texts.